Register now to get rid of these ads!

Hot Rods Mercury Pressure Plate Question.

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by 51 mercules, Oct 31, 2025.

  1. 51 mercules
    Joined: Nov 29, 2008
    Posts: 4,415

    51 mercules
    Member

    I acquired a Cragar adapter for a Flathead Ford Trans to a SBC. I was told I needed a Borg & Beck 988 1949-51 Mercury pressure plate. They seem difficult to find? I came across an add on another website listing a 10" pressure plate which is #1310? It's listed on the add for an International and Mack truck? Seller doesn't know if it will anything else?Kind of looks like a merc pressure plate? What do you guys think? Wanted an opinion before I pull the trigger. pp2.jpg Thank you!
     
  2. Fordors
    Joined: Sep 22, 2016
    Posts: 6,486

    Fordors
    Member

    The photo credit goes to @hotrodA , the picture was on one of his posts.
    IMG_4840.jpeg IMG_4841.jpeg
    The number, 1310, in the photo might look odd, but Fort Wayne may have restamped the clutch cover.
     
    51 mercules likes this.
  3. 19Fordy
    Joined: May 17, 2003
    Posts: 8,363

    19Fordy
    Member

    Here are some photos of an original Borg&Beck 1949-51 Merc. manual transmission 10 in pressure plate #1310.
    It looks like someone restamped yours to 1320.
     

    Attached Files:

    51 mercules likes this.
  4. 42merc
    Joined: Dec 19, 2010
    Posts: 979

    42merc
    Member

    looking at the pic, looks right.
    If the fingers are too long a bit of grinding will let them work.
    I HAVE done this in the past. Grind just enough to clear the bearing retainer.
     
    51 mercules likes this.
  5. 51 mercules
    Joined: Nov 29, 2008
    Posts: 4,415

    51 mercules
    Member

  6. 51 mercules
    Joined: Nov 29, 2008
    Posts: 4,415

    51 mercules
    Member

    Thanks for the pic's and measurements!
     
  7. 51 mercules
    Joined: Nov 29, 2008
    Posts: 4,415

    51 mercules
    Member

    Thank you!
     
  8. 51 mercules
    Joined: Nov 29, 2008
    Posts: 4,415

    51 mercules
    Member

    I took a chance and bought the pressure plate that was listed for a Mack or International Harvester. Got it today and it fit perfectly on a 153 tooth flywheel that a buddy gave to me. 20251108_140251.jpg 20251108_140408.jpg
     
    Last edited: Nov 8, 2025
    alanp561, Fordors and anthony myrick like this.
  9. Cool beans

    The stuff I looked up said 988-1310 was the merc PP used 49-early 51.
     
    51 mercules likes this.
  10. 19Fordy
    Joined: May 17, 2003
    Posts: 8,363

    19Fordy
    Member

    That's great news and will help others.
     
    alanp561 and 51 mercules like this.
  11. 51 mercules
    Joined: Nov 29, 2008
    Posts: 4,415

    51 mercules
    Member

    This is what how the pressure plate was advertised: Clutch Pressure Plate 1310 10" 1941-1949 IHC Truck 1944-1950 Mack. not sure if it was mislabeled or really fits these other vehicles?
     
  12. big duece
    Joined: Jul 28, 2008
    Posts: 7,041

    big duece
    Member
    from kansas

    Double check your fit on the bearing retainer/ pp fingers. There is another Merc pp that looks the same, but the fingers are longer for the later, smaller trans input spline. Looks like the original number was 1319, and was scratched out. That was 51-53 Merc with the 1 1/8" input spline. They could have put the short fingers in making it a 1310.
     
    Last edited: Nov 8, 2025
    51 mercules likes this.
  13. IMG_9566.jpeg
    left is from an early 51 merc. 988
    The right is a late 51 merc. 1319. The arms are slightly longer
     
  14. big duece
    Joined: Jul 28, 2008
    Posts: 7,041

    big duece
    Member
    from kansas

    I see the 3 fingers on yours is part # 4079, which is the same as the "19forty" picture he posted of a straight removal of a 1310. Wonder where a guy could find those parts separately. I have a b&b plate, identical to Merc but has wrong "arms". The part # on mine denotes Chrysler I believe.
     
  15. 51 mercules
    Joined: Nov 29, 2008
    Posts: 4,415

    51 mercules
    Member

     
  16. 51 mercules
    Joined: Nov 29, 2008
    Posts: 4,415

    51 mercules
    Member

    Thank you for all the pics and info.My pressure plate does look like it was restarted with 1310 and another number scratched off.But my pressure plate measurements match what 19Fordy posted.I should be good! 20251109_161910.jpg
     
    alanp561, bchctybob and big duece like this.
  17. Fordors
    Joined: Sep 22, 2016
    Posts: 6,486

    Fordors
    Member

    If there is a rebuilder near your location they may possibly have those fingers available and also they have what’s needed to install them effortlessly.
     
  18. 51 mercules
    Joined: Nov 29, 2008
    Posts: 4,415

    51 mercules
    Member

    Thanks for the pic's.
     
    anthony myrick likes this.
  19. vtwhead
    Joined: Oct 20, 2008
    Posts: 5,304

    vtwhead
    Member

    I am in the middle of sorting out this 1310 fitment for a friend. Anyone got the measurement for the height of the fingers setting on a flat surface (not installed) and the spread of the fingers to allow the large Ford TOB????
    I found a Dodge plate that might work but I need to verify some dimensions first before pulling the trigger.
     
  20. choptop4
    Joined: Feb 3, 2007
    Posts: 863

    choptop4
    Member

    20251117_101726.jpg I have been looking for a 1310 , then this came up for sale. 40 ford , drilled flywheel, wilcap adapter. All for less than a 1310.
    Thanks Josh !
     
  21. vtwhead
    Joined: Oct 20, 2008
    Posts: 5,304

    vtwhead
    Member

    I think that pressure plate is the long B&B unit with the centrifugal weights that provide a bit more clamping pressure when the rpm's are up from what I have read.
     
    Big Al and bchctybob like this.
  22. big duece
    Joined: Jul 28, 2008
    Posts: 7,041

    big duece
    Member
    from kansas

    Bump for vtwhead, also like to know the finger height, and spring pressures at particular heights.
     
  23. IMG_9759.jpeg
    IMG_9774.jpeg finger height bolted to the PP with disc
    IMG_9755.jpeg
    Inside-outside 11 5/8
     
    big duece likes this.
  24. For those of you who think or have been told that the 49-51 Merc PP is the same, that information is Wrong. 49-50 is the same. 51 for Merc is a one-year deal. Instead of the 2-piece bellhousing and Early 48 and back style Ford gearbox Henry changed it up to accept the new 49 and up Ford Car trans. That means a 4-bolt gear box, 1 piece bellhousing and the much smaller front bearing retainer accepting the smaller T H bearing collar, thus the shorter 3 fingers on the PP. Then know that the 51 Merc bellhousing is a 1 year only unit being it still uses the 48 and earlier clutch release fork system, not the new standard Fork that enters through the big opening that became standard in Ford Cars. Clear as Mud, right?
     
  25. Pulled both of these out of 51 mercs
    IMG_9887.jpeg IMG_9888.jpeg
    Thats all I know
     
    Pist-n-Broke and Fordors like this.
  26. big duece
    Joined: Jul 28, 2008
    Posts: 7,041

    big duece
    Member
    from kansas

    I thought there was a transition in '51, denoting a early and late '51.
     
  27. Fordors
    Joined: Sep 22, 2016
    Posts: 6,486

    Fordors
    Member

    I had read more than once that '51 Mercury's used two different pressure plates and clutch discs. Early production used the larger diameter throw out bearing with a transmission that had a small bell housing cast integrally with the trans case and the later cars had the smaller t/o bearing used with the four bolt trans that Ford adopted and used through the '50' and '60's.
    Edit- here’s a photo that @KRUZIN62 had posted of the early ‘51 Merc transmission.
    IMG_5053.jpeg
     
    Last edited: Nov 29, 2025 at 3:03 PM
    big duece likes this.
  28.  

Share This Page

Register now to get rid of these ads!

Archive

Copyright © 1995-2021 The Jalopy Journal: Steal our stuff, we'll kick your teeth in. Terms of Service. Privacy Policy.

Atomic Industry
Forum software by XenForo™ ©2010-2014 XenForo Ltd.